NAVY ESTIMATES 1897–8. (Hansard, 22 March 1897)

§ MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)
called attention to the question of the linoleum contract in connection with the Navy. The First Lord of the Admiralty would remember that last year he brought this matter forward, and he had given private notice to the Secretary to the Admiralty that he intended to again raise the question that night on the Report of Supply. It was not necessary to go into details further than to bring under the attention of the right hon. Gentleman the main points of tire grievance of which complaint was made. The point was this—every year contracts were asked for from, all the principal linoleum manufacturers of the country, and such conditions were inserted in the contracts as to make, it practically impossible for any other than one particular firm to secure them. The grievance was not imaginary one. He had had representations from, linoleum manufacturers all over the kingdom, with the single exception of the one particular firm to which he had referred. He raised this matter three years ago, during the administration of the late Liberal Government, and so convinced them of the utter unfairness that was shown to all the linoleum manufacturers of the country by the terms of the contract, that they practically threw the matter open, with the result that the particular firm lost the contract for year. There appeared to be in reference to the matter sonic extraordinary influence which he had not been able to understand. Although the contract was taken away from this particular firm, and, notwithstanding that ft firm of which he knew something, paid £2,000 in order to put down a special plant to manufacture the antiquated pattern of linoleum required by the Navy, the contract was taken once more and again given to the one firm which had previously been favoured. What he asked was that no preference should be shown to any particular firm. There ought to be a fair and open market, and the cheapest and best. Estimate should win. That was not so in this ease. He did not know what reply would be given that night, but if the right hon. Gentleman would look into the records with regard to linoleum he would see that 1165 if the contract was taken away from the firm in question, it would result in a saving of between £2,000 and £5,000 a, year. The terms inserted in the contracts by the Admiralty were not warranted by the circumstances, and insisted upon certain conditions being observed which in every other private firm throughout the country had been abolished for something like 50 or 60 years. What he asked the right hon. Gentleman to do was to promise that he would personally, with the assistance of colleagues, look into this matter and convince himself whether or not there was any justice in the complaint that was made on behalf of the linoleum manufacturers of the country generally. To put himself in order, lie should move the reduction of the Vote by £600.

§ MR. SPEAKER
I have already proposed the Question that the House agree with the Committee. The hon. Member cannot move a reduction. He can vote against the Resolution.

§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square
said that he had no hesitation in giving the hon. Member the assurance which he desired. He would personally, with the assistance of his colleagues, go into the matter. He had had no notice, or he should have been prepared with an answer to the hon. Member. He had no doubt that there was a satisfactory explanation, and he could not accept the facts as stated by the hon. Member.